Auto Bits: 5 winter driving tips from the tune-up to the tunes

Monday

Dec 17, 2018 at 11:31 AMDec 17, 2018 at 11:31 AM

Tip of the Week

ďFrom Atlantic to Pacific, gee, the traffic is terrificĒ ... because itís time to head home for the holidays! No matter their destination, Americans are more than twice as likely to drive as fly this year (76 percent vs. 24 percent), according to Hankook Tireís newest Gauge Index Survey.

Where is everyone going? That depends. More than one-third of Americans (36 percent) want to travel somewhere involving sand and palm trees, choosing the beach as their ideal winter getaway. Other top destinations include a trip to the mountains (22 percent) or a family reunion (21 percent).

Wherever you are headed, bank on busy roads. Check out these five tips to ensure everything for your trip is well-oiled, well-maintained and, well, worry-free this winter:

1) Check the tires

Before settling in behind the wheel, donít forget to look at your tires. The Gauge found 27 percent of Americans hope to stay on top of their carís maintenance schedule better in the new year, but itís never too early to kick-start those resolutions! Instead of kicking the tires, try the penny test to see if yours are ready for the road. Insert the penny into the tread groove with Lincolnís head upside down ó if you can see all of his head, itís time to replace your tires.

2) Stay tuned

Beyond your four tires, itís also a good idea to give your entire car a quick checkup before taking any road trip. Look under the hood to ensure adequate fluid levels, including antifreeze and wiper fluid; check the headlights, taillights and brake lights to be sure no bulbs are burned out; inspect windshield wipers for signs of wear; and make sure there is air in your spare tire.

3) Pack prepared

Keeping an emergency kit in the car is always a good idea, especially if youíre driving toward inclement weather. A roadside emergency kit should include first-aid materials like bandages and antiseptic, as well as tools that can help in the event of an unexpected breakdown. Be sure you have jumper cables, flashlights (with extra batteries) and roadside flares, as well as drinking water and non-perishable snacks to get you through any delay. For added peace of mind, double-check that your roadside assistance subscription is current.

4) Map your route

While nearly a quarter (24 percent) of Americans have built-in navigation in their vehicles, itís still a good idea to scout your route before putting the car in drive. At the very least, make sure your passenger has a good sense of direction.

5) Get in the groove

A solid road trip soundtrack still wins as the top road trip entertainment for nearly half (46 percent) of Americans, according to the Gauge. Set your playlist before getting in the car, and make sure it can last the length of your road trip ... and then some, in case you do end up in a traffic jam.

ó Brandpoint

Auto newsAccording to AAA, more than one-third of Americans are expected to travel this holiday season. A record-breaking 112.5 million people, a 4.4 percent increase over last year, will taking to the nationís runways, roads and rails for year-end travel. INRIX, a global mobility analytics company, predicts travel times in the most congested cities in the U.S. could be as much as four times longer than a normal trip.

Did you know

A new study from CarMD found Mazda has the least expensive check engine light-related repairs. The studyís results showed the average repair for a Mazda cost $285.70 for issues that cause a check engine light to appear on the dashboard. CarMD looked at 10 makes and 100 models from 1996 through 2018 model year but only included data from a carís check engine light between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018.